Hero

Name: Hero
Genre: Action, Adventure, History
Released: August 27, 2004
Duration: 99 min
Rating: 85
Cast: Daoming Chen, Donnie Yen, Jet Li, Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung Chiu Wai

2004

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 42 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 528 Ratings

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8.8

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8.8	User Score Universal acclaim based on 528 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: August 27, 2004 | PG-13

Starring: Daoming Chen, Donnie Yen, Jet Li, Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Ziyi Zhang

Summary: The time: two thousand years ago. The place: the violent dawn of the Qin dynasty. The story: the soon-to-be First Emperor of China is on the brink of conquering a war-torn land. Three opponents are determined to assassinate him and one loyal subject stands in their way. [Miramax]

Director: Yimou Zhang

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, History

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 99 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Moore

It's a story about storytelling, with differing versions of events in which people die by the sword. Filled with Yimou's characteristic symbolism and zest for striking colors, it's a fictional account of the unification of China. Read full review

100

Hank Sartin

The result is both thrilling and thoughtful. Read full review

100

Richard Corliss

Hero is the masterpiece. It employs unparalleled visual splendor to show why men must make war to secure the peace and how warriors may find their true destiny as lovers. Read full review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

I wish 'Hero's emotional heat rose more intensely -- more recklessly. There's something grand but distant and almost fetishistic about the operatic solemnity with which Zhang approaches the Rashomonic story of assassins attempting to kill a king. Read full review

James Berardinelli

If there's a drawback, it's that the plot is trite. Hero is an exemplary example of visual poetry. The narrative is clearly of secondary concern. Read full review

Carla Meyer

Not as profound as it is pretty, Hero nevertheless gives us something to ponder beyond Zhang's feat in mounting such a magnificent production. Read full review

Mike Clark

A movie just good enough to keep nurturing rooting interest as you watch it. Read full review

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User Reviews

dalawman

Nov 1, 2010

Simply one of the best movies ever made in my mind. I admit you have to be bright to figure this one out, and as you read the reviews you see many people didn't. This is totally a love story.......with the best special affects ever and a good amount of action. This is about loving so muchSimply one of the best movies ever made in my mind. I admit you have to be bright to figure this one out, and as you read the reviews you see many people didn't. This is totally a love story.......with the best special affects ever and a good amount of action. This is about loving so much you place another human being ahead of yourself or the welfare of a country beyond yourself. Believe me the ones that didn't enjoy this are the ones that love the "Three Stooges" and talk through all the movies in the theater.
Great movie!… Expand

9 of 12 users found this helpful93

RodneyM.

Feb 17, 2007

A visual and emotional masterpiece. A was a bit skeptical at seeing a foreign film, with subtitles. It conveys perfect action sequences, while still demonstrating emotion. Anyone who doesn't like this movie either has no taste, or is dyslexic.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

NShep53

Jun 20, 2015

Hero is an amazing Chinese epic. Jet Li truly shines in this movie as titular "Hero". The story draws you in to the point where you actually care about these truly awesome characters. The action is filmed perfectly and is well done. Best martial arts movie I have seen. A+.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Abolish

Aug 16, 2021

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0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Stagger74

Jul 13, 2021

》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》¡
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2 of 3 users found this helpful21

FilmJunkie2020

Apr 8, 2017

This is a movie for the fans, whose beauty mirrors the culture and legends from which it draws inspiration. For all its great qualities, however, its lacking plot may come across as tiresome to the novice viewer.

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

stevej.

Jan 5, 2006

WOW who ever liked this movie is very very wrong about movies. this so called film caused me too waste 20 dollars......I left 30 minutes into the movie. by far one of the worst movies ive ever seen.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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15	#15 Best Movie of 2004
30	#30 Most Discussed Movie of 2004
44	#44 Most Shared Movie of 2004